National News Briefs; Police Fire Gas at Crowd Protesting Alcohol Ban

Michigan State students clashed with police officers early today in a protest over a ban on alcohol at a popular site for tailgate parties.

Police officers fired tear gas into a crowd of students who converged on downtown shortly after midnight and lighted a bonfire. Students later set more bonfires, police said.

Dozens of police officers in riot gear were on the scene. Eleven people were treated for injuries, officials said.

Four or five students were arrested as the police had bottles and rocks thrown at them, said Chief Lawton Connelly of the East Lansing Police.

Dave Rudolph, a Michigan State senior who participated in the protest, said the police fired the first round of tear gas without warning. ''Had we gotten a warning before they shot the tear gas, the crowd would have dispersed,'' Mr. Rudolph said.

Police Capt. Stephen Chubb said the police warned the crowd each time before tear gas was sprayed.

The student assembly of Michigan State University said in a statement that the group was angry that it had not been consulted before the administration imposed the alcohol ban.